Chapter 3: Rainbow Handkerchief

Emily's Pov-

It has been 2 weeks since Paige enrolled in Rosewood high. Even though she didn't try to get any attention she had caught the attention of several of her classmates, I guess owning a motorcycle will do that to a person.

But not everyone was impressed with Paige. In her anger Alison tried to put Paige in her place by threatening to spread a rumor that she was gay, but that backfired since Paige really was gay and now, she's even more popular with some of the girls here.

"I hate that pig skinned bitch so much." Alison mumbled as we sat in the cafeteria and Paige walked in with her helmet under her arm and her bicker jacket was opened revealing that she wore a gray t-shirt that hugged her tight. And as she turned around, I noticed that in the back pocket of her blue jeans she had a rainbow-colored handkerchief dangling like a small flag. She had worn it ever since Alison outed her, guess she was out and proud before she enrolled here.

As I looked at her walking by my eyes lingered, Paige really wasn't like any girl.

"Come on we're leaving." Alison said and I felt her resting her hand on my shoulder as she got up, her hand lingered in a gentle way as she stood up.

As we walked out of the cafeteria, I couldn't help but look over at Paige, she was leaning back against the wall as another girl was walking up towards her. I wanted to be that girl… but I couldn't, Alison would never let me.

Once we were in the hallway Alison went to her locker as the rest of us followed her.

"I hate that we have our SAT's this Friday." Alison said with a growl. "Fridays are supposed to be the day when we can take it easier and enjoy that the weekend will start." She continued.

"Well, at least we can leave once it's finished." Hanna said.

"That's right, but I got a feeling that some might leave earlier than others." Alison said as her eyes darted back and forth between Spencer and Hanna.

Spencer was about to say something when suddenly a loud thud echoed from further down the hall. It was Noel Khan, he had slammed his favorite prey, Lucas Gottesman. Noel liked to show the weaker that he was stronger and that was when he was in a good mood.

"Where do you think you're going, Nerd?" Noel said as he pushed Lucas against the locker once more.

Alison looked at Noel and seemed to enjoy the show while I looked in fear as Noel tormented poor Lucas.

"What should I do with you?" Noel asked while he was still holding Lucas.

The terrified boy pleaded for Noel to let him go, and there were even signs of tears from his eyes. Noel laughed and said "If my paper on American history is at least B+ I might be too busy celebrating to spend time with you… Am I clear?"

Lucas just nodded As Noel dropped him, Lucas ran away and disappeared around a corner as we stood there looking at Noel who went up to Alison.

She smiled at him and said "Nice job, Alpha male." Noel smirked and leaned up to the locker.

"You know, I'm throwing a party this Friday night to celebrate that the SAT's are over. You're all welcome if you can party with the best of us." He bragged.

"Well." Ali said moving up close to him. "Maybe I'll take the VIP treatment." She leaned in close to him and he did the same. Suddenly she stopped "Implied that my friends are welcome to the party too." She said.

"The more the merrier." He responded.

"Good, we'll be there." Alison said and gave him a light kiss.

Once Noel had left, we all looked at Alison. "Why do you encourage him to act like that?" Aria asked.

"What do you mean?" Alison asked nonchalantly.

"You can get him to stop bullying others with just one word, but you don't." Spencer said.

"Please girls, high school is like the wilderness. It's survival of the fittest." Alison said. "You're either on top with the popular crowd or at the bottom with the uncool once. That's just how things are." She continued.

"Sometimes those at the bottom just need a reminder where they are." She finished and grabbed her books, "Just one more class for me then I'm free." Alison sang as she walked off to her math class while the rest of us stood there.

Sometimes I wonder if we are friends with Alison because she makes us feel wonderful or if it's because we fear her.

The other girls eventually had to go to their classes and I had no idea what to do, my next class didn't start for another 20 minutes, All I could do was think of what I had seen earlier today and lots of other days. I felt sorry for Lucas, he is a nice guy and he didn't deserve that.

As I sat down letting out a sigh, I suddenly noticed a pair of black boots being next to me, I looked up and saw Paige standing right by me.

"You know there are chairs in this building." Paige said.

"I just saw something I didn't like seeing." I said and Paige sat down, right next to me.

"What's wrong?" Paige asked. When I looked into her eyes I could see that she wasn't just asking me to be nice, she sincerely cared. For the first time today, I felt like I could say what I wanted to say without worrying about getting shunned.

I told Paige everything about Noel Khan and how he'd treat Lucas and that Alison just let him act however he wanted.

Once I had told Paige everything she reached onto her back pocket and handed me her handkerchief. As I had told her how I felt when I saw Lucas I must have cried without even noticing it.

"Thank you." I said as I accepted the handkerchief and started to wipe my tears.

When I handed it back to Paige I couldn't help but linger as our fingers grazed, it was something about her that was just breathtaking. What's with me… am I falling for her?

Suddenly there was a thud that made the wall vibrate.

Paige and I quickly got up and as we went out we saw that now Noel was bullying Lucas again, this time Noel had him in a headlock and repeatedly pushed him against the wall. Lucas wasn't even trying to break free, he knew it was hopeless.

"HEY!" Paige suddenly yelled. "Pick on someone who'll fight back." Paige said as she took a few fearless steps towards Noel.

He looked at Paige and dropped his grip on Lucas who wasted no time getting away from Noel.

"You must be the new girl." Noel said while just leaning back towards the wall that he had used to torment Lucas.

"You don't seem to know that I'm allowed to do whatever I want." He continued.

Most people would have taken this opportunity to mack off but Paige walked completely fearless up to him, looked directly into his eyes and said "I'm not afraid of you."